Barrel binding: an ancestral gesture at Château Margaux

At Château Margaux, each step in the ageing of our wines is guided by the pursuit of quality and respect for tradition.

Among these rare gestures is binding, an operation performed entirely by hand by our cooper Jonathan, who personally makes some of our barrels.

Binding consists of tightening chestnut hoops with wicker, which are then attached to each end of the barrel. This distintictive feature of so-called “chateau-style” Bordeaux barrels, was formerly used to protect the barrels from harmful insects, which would attack these softer wooden hoops, instead of the oak barrels.

While pests are no longer a major concern in château cellars today, these chestnut hoops still make it easier for cellar workers to handle the barrels.

This meticulous work, carried out hoop by hoop, perpetuates centuries-old know-how and gives each barrel a unique signature, a true reflection of the identity of Château Margaux.